Architecture, as a design language in Goa over a period of years has been getting highly influenced by forces of the vibrant fast developing building industry in India. This has established a change in skyline of Goa architectural typologies and the characteristic identity of Goa.
All in the name of rapidly changing urbanisation, architectural styles are evolving and setting a new form that is growing both horizontally and vertically in our urban and rural areas. The scale, context and justifying this change is a question for Goa with emerging trends, wherein some developments are not in snyc with what Goa needs. We as architects will like to step in here wherein the policy makers, stakeholders, and the masses need to be educated and sensitised as to what Goa needs. Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) Goa chapter, through its initiative ‘Agenda Connect’, would like to address this issue so that the natural resources in Goa do not deteriorate and vanish from our heritage landscapes.
Architects and architecture as a profession, for whom and for what, and with objective and direction with reference to ground realities, is it only for a boutique trend in architecture to glorify and fantasise the ratings of certain buildings only through magazines or print media, or use this critical writing to link social issues related to architecture in our building industry needs a debate. Cosmetic boxes with only aesthetic values of short term life with borrowed out of context building materials like glass, wood, and composite panels is a new language that needs a critical re-look, re-visiting and asking questions of its sustainability in a Goa-type of climatic locale. Resiliency of building materials and its applications amidst various climatic challenges and variations needs in depth study before it gets inserted on Goa’s emerging pseudo style an Architecture.
How to design a low-budget structure is a challenge to architects and I am sure it’s not a difficult task if the brief is understood. The interface between public/masses and architects and educating people about public realm projects is a need before we start explaining such projects with huge volumes of public investments. Let’s not borrow alien concepts without understanding architectural identity of Goa which is exclusive in its own nature with global brand.
Advocacy in Architecture also needs to revolve around the social responsibility of architects that can create a huge difference in our building industry. Priorities on what kind of development people need and what methodology is adopted by the government in public realm investments needs a sensitive people friendly review to evolve an appropriate design language for Goa.
What kind of brand identity is needed for a good design at a micro scale is a significant part of the design process with sustainable concept so that it doesn’t load the user groups during the operation times with reference to budget and maintenance.
Comprehensive architecture with a holistic approach is becoming a global requirement and the same speaks of integration and fusion between innovative technologies and architecture fabrics. Let’s create what Goa needs as regards to its sustainable, inclusive environment. Cross section of Goa from sand-dune based coastal landscapes, via the back waters, paddy fields, up to the ecosensitive Western Ghats has got a lot of potential in terms of architecture, but with a concern if not tackled appropriately. The architectural language in the State has to be respected and conserved for generation next with layers of ecology, environment friendly frameworks and challenges of climate change with specific references to disaster management in terms of landslides, cutting of hills/slopes, filling of lowlying paddy fields, rising sea levels, excessive rains and many more.
Limited resources existing in Goa need a strategy plan towards the land use patterns as part of planning techniques and theories of town planning, with holistic socio economic visionary plan that can address a progressive time line for growth avenues and generate employment opportunities.
The carrying capacities of varied land uses in Goa, needs a study before progressing any newer developments in terms of its existing population vis a vis prevailing infrastructure.
Architects with its holistic and comprehensive planning approach can act as facilitators across the State and enable policy makers to create appropriate architectural design typologies and also retain the characteristic identity of Goa. Let’s not create a building and then think of a working on an approach road. The two have to be an integral part of design proposals with thoughtful provision of infrastructure at architects design office during the drafting of master plan, well in advance. Let architecture and architects be given opportunities to do their works, as per planning methodologies and techniques with futuristic & innovative global trends and yes, for the people.
Let’s not fall for hired, short term commercial cosmetic benefits of market forces that backfire both on aesthetics and economic survival in the long run which is being seen currently all over the place such ugly buildings are result of unprofessional and works done by unskilled so called consultants that mushroom all over in Goa.
Innovation and sustainability with futuristic environment friendly technologies if sensitively handled can create the appropriate architecture palette for Goa with objective of resilient buildings, communities, environment and heritage.
Architects can play a vital role in shaping the new challenges of emerging Goa with methodical and structured framework that incudes art, humanities, design, science, engineering, construction techniques, ecology, environment, socio economic and cultural identities and most importantly spaces for people through architecture.
The writer is Chairman, the Indian Institute of Architects – Goa Chapter
